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System76 tease the new Launch Heavy keyboard

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Want a fancy new keyboard from a Linux vendor that makes their own? System76 are adding the Launch Heavy to their line-up that includes a full NumPad.

They've put up a teaser website, which gives some of the details on what to expect from it. Just like the previous two models, it will be fully customizable with their open source Keyboard Configurator app. Considering the excellent build quality of the original Launch Keyboard that I reviewed, I have high hopes for this one and the full size is great.

 

From the public details the chassis continues to be open source, it has a detachable bar on the bottom to lift it up at an angle, it has an open source PCB design, RGB LED lighting that you can customize, a few different types of switches you can choose from, 2 × USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type C (Up to 10 Gbps), 2 × USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type A (Up to 10 Gbps) and open source firmware.

Certainly sounds like something great. What do you think?

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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I am the owner of GamingOnLinux. After discovering Linux back in the days of Mandrake in 2003, I constantly came back to check on the progress of Linux until Ubuntu appeared on the scene and it helped me to really love it. You can reach me easily by emailing GamingOnLinux directly. Find me on Mastodon.
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32 comments
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zimplex1 Nov 26, 2022
Their keyboards look really nice, and I'm sure they have a really good build quality (as is standard with System 76), but they are extremely overpriced imo.
ben-green Nov 26, 2022
For me it's missing a UK key layout and an indication of price.
pageround Nov 26, 2022
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Quoting: PublicNuisanceI don't see a reason not to be excited over this. Got a couple of keyboards i'm looking to replace so I could see this being one of them alongside the MNT Reform USB Keyboard.

I have the exact same thoughts! I'm looking for something repairable and programmable. I've been stuck on a dell rubber-dome keyboard from work. Its okay, but really miss the mechanical keyboard that a faulty USB switch killed earlier this year. PSA: Test USB hubs before plugging in expensive stuff!
Termy Nov 26, 2022
I don't really get those 95% keyboards - i want full size for a reason, those 1-2 saved centimeters won't hurt me, less keys will though. Especially if we have QMK or other fully customizable solutions like here, where you can remap 'useless' keys.
And i really don't like the 'integrated' arrowkeys either...
Aaand (just to keep on rambling ;) ) i really got to love the knob on my Q6, so that is a sadly missing thing, too. ^^


Other than that: the more open keyboards, the better! And size matters, so go for everything countering that stupid TKL-Trend ;P
melkemind Nov 26, 2022
Quoting: TermyI don't really get those 95% keyboards - i want full size for a reason, those 1-2 saved centimeters won't hurt me, less keys will though. Especially if we have QMK or other fully customizable solutions like here, where you can remap 'useless' keys.
And i really don't like the 'integrated' arrowkeys either...
Aaand (just to keep on rambling ;) ) i really got to love the knob on my Q6, so that is a sadly missing thing, too. ^^


Other than that: the more open keyboards, the better! And size matters, so go for everything countering that stupid TKL-Trend ;P

That's what I was thinking, albeit with fewer words. 😆 It's close but still not a full size keyboard.
Doc Angelo Nov 26, 2022
Why the weird spacing on the lower left side? Why are caps and tab not aligned?
Termy Nov 26, 2022
Quoting: Doc AngeloWhy the weird spacing on the lower left side?

Probably to have only three different key widths i guess?
denyasis Nov 26, 2022
Quoting: ben-greenFor me it's missing a UK key layout and an indication of price.

200 USD, minimum. That's the price on their site for the smaller keyboards. I'd expect it to be more.

Which brings me to my question. For those that have them... Opinions? Particularly on value?
Grogan Nov 26, 2022
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I use a big old clickety clack IBM keyboard from the 80's. It was one of the first PS/2 devices. I got it from an old pharmacy dispensary computer that was going to the dump, an old IBM XT.

You can pry this keyboard from my stiff, dead fingers.
GeoGalvanic Nov 26, 2022
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I was excited and then I noticed the layout of the home/end keys. That's gonna be a no from me, those and the missing del key are some of my most frequently used.

(For those that don't know: home moves cursor to start of line, end goes to the end of the line, holding ctrl moves to top/bottom of page, holding shift selects the text from the previous to current cursor position. Insanely useful for programming and also word processing/web browsing)

Quoting: ElectricPrismI like this. I do feel that the space bar should be broken up and include [ tab ] next to it as it essentially is 4 spaces. (Does anyone use their right thumb on the spacebar anyways? It's like "R Shift" it gets used 1/100th as much as one would think)

I use my right thumb for space and r shift significantly more than left. When I was taught keyboarding we were supposed to use left shift for caping right side keys and right shift for left side keys so they get used about equally, but my left pinky is pretty weak and not very dexterous so I always ended up contorting my hands to use the right shift.
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